Isabelle ground her teeth together as she picked up her book.
“She is not always this strict,” Lady Victoria whispered as she crouched beside her and retrieved her own tome. “I know that she is putting great pressure on you, but she will soon stop.”
“I doubt that.” Isabelle smiled and put the book back on top of her head, though the leather cover was becoming worn and torn from falling.
She hoped the Duke did not get angry about the damage being done to his property.
“If you cannot master a quadrille, then perhaps you should sit that one out. You will make a fool of us all and Windham will be the laughingstock of theton.” The Dowager Duchess sighed and pressed a hand on Isabelle’s cheek. “You are beautiful for your age, Miss Alden, and it would do you well to make use of that youthful smile while keeping your temperament at bay.”
Lady Victoria eyed her mother. “Really, Mama, she is doing the best that she can. I suggest we take a break. I have been meaning to ask you a few questions about my Italian studies.”
The Duchess sighed and nodded. “Very well, we will practice the waltz, although I believe it is far too improper, the young men and women do love it. If you cannot master those steps either, we shall break for lunch.”
Isabelle nodded. It was as reasonable an offer as she was going to get.
Lady Victoria giggled. “Mama, the waltz is not too improper.”
“It is quite. Young women and men have no business being pressed to each other while they dance. Why the Queen encourages it is not for me to say, but I will also not have my daughters and my charge the center of cruel mutterings because they do not know the popular dances. Now, get into position and Evangeline, play properly.”
This entire affair would be easier for us all if the Dowager Duchess would believe me when I said I refuse to marry.
There would be no need for the dance lessons, or to sit through another morning of men who came to call on her without having a single notion of who she really was.
She knew that word of her arrival was spreading around theton. People wanted to see the newcomer and right now she was the object of the men’s attention. Eventually the novelty of the American would wear off. At that point she hoped that the Duke of Windham and the Dowager Duchess would give up their efforts to see her married.
Oh Papa, why did you ever agree to this?
Lady Evangeline began to play and as she did, Lady Victoria showed Isabelle the steps of a waltz. No matter which way she seemed to go, it always felt as if she was tripping on her skirts.
The Dowager Duchess held a hand up just as the book slipped from Isabelle’s head once more. She pressed her lips together, thin lines creasing the corners of her mouth. “I think perhaps it is time we break for lunch.”
With one last long look at Isabelle, the dowager swept out of the room with Lady Evangeline trailing behind. Lady Victoria knelt with Isabelle as she retrieved her book once more. Her smile was sympathetic.
“Mama can be difficult, but she truly does mean well.”
“I feel as if I am never going to be the woman she expects me to be. It is as if she thinks I should be an accomplished young debutante, when in fact I am truly reaching my expiry date on the marriage market. Worst of all, she completely ignores the fact that I would rather remain unwed!”
Lady Victoria took the book from the ground and held it out to her. “I know that things appear dire now, but you are doing a wonderful job with your lessons. Dancing is horrid at best. Hyacinth and Evangeline enjoy it, but I believe there are better ways to get to know one another.”
“Perhaps you should tell the Dowager Duchess that is your belief. It may sway her opinion of what I must do.”
“I fear there is no swaying her opinion,” Lady Victoria said as they stood, her tone soft and gentle. “I will be joining them for lunch. Will you?”
Isabelle shook her head before taking a deep breath and placing the book on her crown once more. “Though I loathe the lessons, my own mama would hate to receive word that I am considered difficult. If learning this dance is what it takes to please the Dowager Duchess, then that is what I shall do.”
Lady Victoria beamed. “You will learn the steps eventually. I find it best to hum the tune to yourself as slow as you like until you learn the basic movements.”
“Thank you.”
Lady Victoria departed, shutting the large doors behind her and leaving Isabelle alone in the drawing room.
She took another breath. “I can do this.”
Though it might have been a lie she told herself, she still held her arms out as if she was dancing with a partner. As she hummed the tune beneath her breath, she moved with the steps of the dance.
Until the book hit the floor once more.
With a groan, she again plopped the book onto her head. She just needed to finish the waltz once without the book falling and then she would permit herself to go get one of the meat pies the chef had prepared.
